Benj Tupas

Benj Tupas

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­

Philippines

Negros Occidental Travel Guide

Hi there! πŸ‘‹ I’m Benj Tupas and welcome to another Philippines Travel Guide where I write DIY and budget-friendly guides on how to travel to all 82 provinces of the Philippines!

For today’s guide, let’s explore Bacolod, Sipalay, and Lakawon in the province of Negros Occidental!

If you have any questions, you may message me on Facebook. 😍


OOTD:


Photography and Tour Essentials:


Gadgets:


πŸ›–

Hotels: Agoda and Booking

🎟️

Activities: Klook (Promo Code: BENJKLOOK)


Monetize Your Travels with Happy.com.ph

Summary

Welcome to my home province! We'll explore this beauitul province from South to North: Sipalay, Bacolod, and Cadiz!

Prepare for non-stop food trips as you explore the beautiful spots in the province.


Day 1: Ruins and Travel to Sipalay

✈️

Flight to Bacolod

🧁

Manapla Puto and Baye-Baye at Siplay Airport

πŸ›οΈ

The Ruins

πŸ—

Aida's Chicken at Manokan Country

🚐

Van Transfer to Sipalay

🏠

Check-in at Angel's Bed and Breakfast

πŸ₯„

Dinner at Sipalay City Proper

Other accommodation options in Sipalay:

πŸ›– C View Resort

πŸ›– Nataasan Beach Resort

πŸ›– Bugana Beach Resort

πŸ›– Takatuka Resort in Sugar Beach


Day 2: Sipalay Day Tour

β˜•

Breakfast

🏝️

Campomanes Bay

🏞️

Cansibit Pit

πŸ›οΈ

City Hall

🏝️

Tinagong Dagat

🦞

Lunch Fish Tank Seafood Restaurant

🏞️

Perth Paradise (The Highlight)

🏝️

Campoquino Beach and View Deck

πŸ—Ώ

Panaon Rock Formation

🏝️

Poblacion Beach

🚐

Freshen up and Van Transfer to Bacolod

πŸ›–

Check-in at Bacolod Accommodation

To consider for Day 2 if you have time:

🏝️

Sugar Beach

🏝️

Punta Ballo


Day 3: Lakawon

β˜•

Breakfast

🚌

Bus to Lakawon



✈️ P4,762.28 - Flight

πŸ›– P1,248.75 - Sipalay Accommodation

πŸ›– P1,702.61 - Bacolod Accommodation

Day 1: P1,184

P80 - Puto and baye-baye

P200 - Van to The Ruins

P60 - Tricycle to Manokan Country

P193 - Lunch Manokan Country

P106 - Grab to South Bus Terminal

P350 - Van to Sipalay

P120 - Dinner

P75 - Snacks

Day 1

✈️ Flight to Bacolod

Find the best prices for your flights:

- My roundtrip ticket costed P4,762.28

- You can get better prices if you book months in advance and after Masskara Festival

- I booked this two weeks prior to the trip and the festival will start in a few weeks

Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes


🧁 Manapla Puto and Baye-Baye at Siplay Airport

Yes! Upon arrival, foodtrip agad!

- After claiming your luggages, go the food stalls at the waiting area and ask where you can buy both delicacies

- Puto and baye-bate are delicacies of Manapla, a municipality near Cadiz City or Lakawon Island.

- It's no longer fresh compared to directly buying in Manapla but both still taste really good.

- Puto is P50 and baye-baye is P30


πŸ›οΈ The Ruins in Talisay or Lacson Ruins

3 ways to get there:

1. 🚐 Van from Silay Airport

- Ride the van just beside the food stalls

- Fare: P200

- Duration: 15 minutes (exluding waiting time)

- You can leave your luggages at the entrance beside the security guard while you explore the place

2. πŸš— Grab from Bacolod

- The best option if you’re a group 4 to 6 so you can split the fare

- Fare: P195 (4 seater) to P275 (6 seater) - From my hotel at UrbanView

3. πŸ›΅ Tricycle From Bacolod

- Ride a tricycle from North Bus Terminal

- Fare: P150 (5 minutes)

🎟️ Entrance fees:

- P150 - Adult

- P100 - Senior citizen or PWD

- P80 - Students

- Free - Children below 8 years old

- P400 - Consumable entrance

Sample price ranges at their restaurant:

πŸ• P165 to P325 - Pica-pica, Pizza, and Pasta

πŸ› P375 to P475 - Breakfast Meals and Main Courses

β˜• P115 to P180 - Coffee

🍰 P165 to P165 - Cakes

🍺 P55 to P230 - Water, soda, shakes, local beers, and wine

Spots to note:

⭐️ Fountain (My favorite)

⭐️ Balcony (Pillars with M and M)

⭐️ Entrance

🍰 P165 to P165 - Cakes

πŸ“ Main Hallway

πŸ“ Carriage

πŸ“ Souvenir shop

πŸ“ Video introduction

πŸ“ Glass reflection (morning and afternoon only)

πŸ“ Restaurant

πŸ“ Mini Train

The story behind The Ruins:

Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy owner of a 440-hectare plantation in Talisay City, fell in love with and married Maria Braga, whom he met in Hong Kong.

During Maria’s 11th pregnancy, she slipped in the bathroom and began to bleed. They traveled by carriage to the nearest hospital, but it took two days to reach Silay.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Both Maria and the baby passed away.

In her memory, Don Mariano built a grand palace, dedicating it to Maria and their unborn child. The Ruins is often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Negros.

However, during World War II, the Americans burned the mansion to the ground to prevent the Japanese from using it as their headquarters.

The skeletal frame of the mansion remains intact to this day.


πŸ— Aida's Chicken at Manokan Country

How to get here:

πŸ›΅ Tricycle to North Bus Terminal

Duration: 15 minutes

Fare: P150

πŸ›΅ Tricycle to Manokan Country

Duration: 15 minutes

Fare: P60

You can also book Grab from the Ruins to Manokan Country for P250 to P350

Order: Paa (P105), Garlic Rice (P38), and Coke Zero (P50)

I also tried Nena's Rose on Day 3 and Chicken Deli on Day 4.

Celebrities and politicians like Erwan Heusaff, Robi Domingo, Isko Moreno, Doc Willie Ong, and Mikey Bustos ate here.


🚐 Van Transfer to Sipalay

Better if you ride the van before 12PM so you can catch the sunrise at Poblacion Beach in Sipalay

Go to South Bus Terminal:

Option 1: GrabCar - P106

Option 2: Ride a jeep (Shopping Libertad) - P11 non-aircon and P15 aircon

- Bathroom and snack break in Kabankalan after 3 hours

- Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes

- Note: It might take an hour of waiting time for the van to get full

- Fare: P350


🏠 Check-in at Angel's Bed and Breakfast

Finding an accommodation that's both aesthetic and budget-friendly isn't always easy, but this place is an exception.

This bed and breakfast is located at the entrance of the city, near stores and Poblacion Beach.

It’s also conveniently beside the van terminal for trips from and to Bacolod.

Open 24 hours.

Breakfast meals are available for P100 and coffee for P20. So you won’t have to skip breakfast if you're starting your tour early to avoid the crowd. They serve a variety of silog meals (corned beef, fish, tocino, spam, longganisa, and hotdog).

Wifi is available for digital nomads and there's a free water dispenser so bring your water bottle.

Please check my recommended water bottle and pocket wifi here:


OOTD:


Photography and Tour Essentials:


Gadgets:


πŸ›–

Hotels: Agoda and Booking

🎟️

Activities: Klook (Promo Code: BENJKLOOK)


Monetize Your Travels with Happy.com.ph

I booked a room for only P1,250 per night here:


πŸ₯„ Dinner at Sipalay City Proper

Most karinderyas close at 8PM especially on weekdays

- Andok’s and 711 are 24 hours

- Dinner: Fried chicken rice meal with Pepsi (P120)

- Snacks and water (P75)


πŸŽ’ Prepare for the Tour

- Prepare your day tour essentials

- Ready your luggage for checkout before the tour

Checkout my travel essentials here:


OOTD:


Photography and Tour Essentials:


Gadgets:


πŸ›–

Hotels: Agoda and Booking

🎟️

Activities: Klook (Promo Code: BENJKLOOK)


Monetize Your Travels with Happy.com.ph

Day 2

A paradise found in the southern part of Negros Occidental province or Bacolod City


🏝️ Campomanes Bay

This beach can be accessed without an entrance fee

The water is crystal clear and turquoise blue

Bugana Resort is located here:


🏞️ Cansibit Pit

Hinatuan Enchanted River meets Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake

- Just look at how clear the water is!

- The water also reflects the sky like a glass when still.

- Tip: Avoid splashing the water or wait for it to settle so it won't appear muddy before taking a photo.

- This was an abandoned mining site that began operations in the 1950s.

- It was shut down due to its negative environmental impact. The Sipalay government is currently researching whether the pit can be used as a sustainable water reserve for the city.


πŸ›οΈ City Hall

Sipalay's City Hall is so clean and the garden is well maintain


🏝️ Tinagong Dagat

Lagoons of Palawan + Chocolate Hills of Bohol = Tinagong Dagat

The spot in the photo above looks like the bridge at Kayangan Lake in Coron.

Chocolate Hills vibe

Entrance fees:

- P50 for adult

- P30 for kids


🦞 Fish Tank Seafood Restaurant

Beautiful view yet very affordable seafood restaurant by the river ⛡️

The restaurant is also located in the middle of a mangrove forest 🌳

Eat lunch with this relaxing view

I ordered the Shrimp Kebab for only P199 which includes 4 shrimps, 5 scallops, rice, vegetables, and ice tea. Very sulit! 🦐

Chill at their swing after lunch while watching the soothing water flowing directly to a beach


🏞️

Perth Paradise (The Highlight)

Often considered the highlight of a Sipalay trip

Fees:

- Entrance: P80

- Infinity Pool: P100

Enjoy the beautiful view! 😍

Note if you're bringing your own car:

- The road going in is a little bumpy

- But the locals there are working together to make it smoother


🏝️

Campoquino Bay Beach Resort and View Deck

The entrance fee is only P50.

They have a 300-step view deck to witness the panoramic view of Tinagong Dagat and Poblacion Beach that will take you around 20 minutes to reach the top.

View of the resort

They also have cottages

The beach

The rooms


πŸ—Ώ Panaon Rock Formation and 🏝️ Poblacion Beach

End the day with these 2 spots that are beside each other and can be accessed for free.

Imagine living in this city where the beach is just a few steps away from your home.

You can stroll and chill here after a stressful day at work.

- This is where you can find the Wow! Sipalay! sign.

- There are food stalls here that sell snacks and drinks.

- At night, there are BBQ stalls for dinners and live performances sometimes.


Consider Sugar Beach and Punta Ballo Beach for a half day tour


🏝️ Sugar Beach

A beach in Sipalay with mini Chocolate Hills on the side.

- This non-touristy spot is so peaceful. Introverts will love it!

- A paradise you can access all to yourself on weekdays and for free!

There's also a beach front resort here:


🏝️

Punta Ballo Beach

You can also access this beach for free.

There's a beach resort here. I was also considering this when I was looking for an accommodation.


πŸ›΅ Tour Guide Reveal

Special thanks to Dojie for being a nice guide and a great photographer!

The regular tour is only P1,500 without Bugana, Cansibit Pit, and Sugar Beach. Just add P1,000 to explore all these places or I would highly recommend to split it into 2 days.

Maximum of 3 pax

You can reach him here:

πŸ“± Facebook: Do Jie

πŸ“± Mobile: 09382252318 / 09052125024


🚐

Freshen Up, Redeem Luggages, and Van Transfer to Bacolod

- You can shower at Angel's BNB

- The van terminal is just beside it and the last trip is at 4AM.

- You can ask Dojie to reserve you a slot.

- Fare: P350

- Duration: 4 hours


OOTD:


Photography and Tour Essentials:


Gadgets:


πŸ›–

Hotels: Agoda and Booking

🎟️

Activities: Klook (Promo Code: BENJKLOOK)


Monetize Your Travels with Happy.com.ph

Day 3

⏰ Wake Up at 3AM to Catch the First Lakawon Trip


β˜• Breakfast

- Go to 6th Street in Lacson.

- This is just a few blocks from Urban View and in-front of the lagoon

- Mcdo, Dunkin, and Chowking are open 24 hours

Sample order: Longganisa with black coffee (P119)


🚌 Bus to Lakawon

From Mcdo Lacson or Urban View, ride Bata or Mandalagan jeep to Ceres North Terminal for P12.

- Just ask for Lakawon

- The jump-off will be at Burgos Market in Cadiz

- Fare: P145

- Duration: 50 minutes (05:25AM to 06:15AM)

- Tip: Sit on the right side if facing the front to enjoy the sunrise

- You'll also pass by one of the biggest solar farms in Philippines


πŸ›΅ Ride a Tricycle to Lakawon Port

The fare is P150 from Burgos Public Market. Good for 3 to 4 people.

It will about 10 minutes to reach the port


β›΅ Boat Ride to Lakawon

Port to Lakawon:

- Opens at 7AM

- Needs to reach 10 passengers per batch

- If it takes a while to fill the batch, especially on weekdays, you can avail a special trip for an additional P1,000

Lakawon back to Port:

- Schedules: 8AM, 10AM, 12:30PM, 2PM, and 4PM

- No need to fill the batch

You can eat breakfast, buy souvenirs, or play with the island dogs while waiting.

Thanks for reaching this far!

πŸ‘‹

Say hi on Facebook if you have any questions about the guide

πŸ—“οΈ

Travel dates: September 30 to October 03